Salmond accused of being complacent over sectarian attacks

Summit call ignored after Old firm stars targeted

By Andy Philip

Published:

First Minister Alex Salmond was branded “weak” yesterday after ignoring calls for a sectarian summit following attacks and threats against Rangers and Celtic players.

Jack McConnell, the former first minister, accused the SNP leader of appearing complacent by failing to answer his request in the Scottish Parliament.

The call came after Celtic coach Neil Lennon was knocked unconscious by attackers in Glasgow after an Old Firm match at the weekend.

It was reported yesterday that Rangers star Nacho Novo was put under guard at home after his address was published on the internet.

Asked if he would reconvene a summit to tackle the issue, Mr Salmond said: “This government and everyone in this chamber believes and knows that sectarianism is a continuing problem in Scottish society. It is one of the ills that afflicts us.

“Everybody across this chamber has the highest priority in tackling that and other ills in Scottish society.”

Mr McConnell told MSPs in Holyrood the attacks showed bigotry and religious hatred were not yet “in the dustbin of history”.

He later added: “I am delighted that the parliament clearly condemned the actions of those thugs who this week attacked Neil Lennon and threatened Nacho Novo but I am extremely disappointed at the weak response from the first minister.

“A sectarianism summit would take half a day from his diary in the next 12 months and he refused to commit to any action to maintain the progress of recent years and end the appearance of complacency.

“I urge him to think seriously about leading Scotland on this matter and not be left behind.”

A web user posted the Glasgow street where Spanish striker Novo is said to live on a Celtic fans’ message board.

Rangers are reported to have called in security guards to patrol outside Novo’s home and a complaint has been made to the police.

The address was posted on the unofficial website as Celtic fans discussed reprisals for the attack on Lennon.

Novo, 29, who joined Rangers in 2004, said: “This is my home. My family stay here and no one will mess with my family.”

Rangers said they would not comment on the incident yesterday.

A police spokeswoman said: “A complaint has been made to Strathclyde Police with regard to the content of a website.

“Police inquiries are continuing into the matter.”

Novo, who turned down a transfer to Celtic before joining Rangers, has been targeted in the past. He complained to police after a death threat was daubed near his former home in 2004.